Traveller in the dark.pdf - Alex Broun

1Travellerinthe darka short playbyAlex BrounInspired by the children’s song“Twinkle Twinkle little star”This play is free to download and perform. The only condition is that you must emailAlex Broun at abroun@bigpond.net.au and let him know where and when you producedhis script, listing the director, cast and theatre (including city, state and country).Good luck with the production!May 2010© Alex Broun 2010www.alexbroun.com

2CastEDWARDDIANAACTOR 1 (MALE)ACTOR 2 (FEMALE)ACTOR 3 (MALE OR FEMALE)

3EDWARD IN A POOL OF LIGHT. THE OTHER ACTORS MOVE IN THEDARKNESS AROUND HIM.OTHER ACTORS: (SINGING) Twinkle, twinkle, little star,How I wonder what you are!Up above the world so high,Like a diamond in the sky!EDWARD:I’m on a bus.He’s on a bus.I’m on a bus.A train.We’re on the A train out to RockawayShe’s sitting alongside me.There is a conversation.THE ACTRESS PLAYING DIANA EMERGES FROM THE DARKNESS.DIANA:EDWARD:DIANA:EDWARD:(SINGS) “Up above the world so high,Like a diamond in the sky!”We have a conversation.I don’t know why you want to go to the beach.Not the beach.DIANA: What else is at Rockaway except the beach ?EDWARD:DIANA:EDWARD:DIANA:EDWARD:DIANA:EDWARD:DIANA:EDWARD:DIANA:Bars, cafes.There are no cafes at Rockaway Beach.Bars, Irish Bars.Full of drunk Donnellys. No thank you.Could be fun.No thank you.We used to have fun.We used to go to fun places. Not Mick bars in Rockaway.We can walk on the Boardwalk.The Rockaway Boardwalk. That would be fun. Then maybe wecan take a jaunt down to Breezy Point. Would you like that ? Ajaunt to Breezy Point.

4OTHER ACTORS: (SINGING) When the blazing sun is gone,When he nothing shines upon,EDWARD: We had a -OTHER ACTORS: (SINGING) Then you show your little light,Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.EDWARD:DIANA:EDWARD:DIANA:EDWARD:conversation.Sure. I could do that. Take a stroll to Breezy Point.You’re up for a stroll.If it’s not too cold.It’s not too cold.DIANA AND EDWARD STROLL.EDWARD:We had a stroll. (TO DIANA) It’s a long way. I don’t remember itbeing this long.ACTOR 1 (MALE), EMERGES FROM THE DARKNESS:ACTOR 1:You don’t remember much.HE DISAPPEARS IMMEDIATELY.EDWARD:DIANA:We had a stroll. (TO DIANA) It’s a long way.Not too long.EDWARD: You don’t mind the rain ?DIANA:Not if you hold me close.SHE HUDDLES IN CLOSER TO HIM.ACTOR 1:(APPEARING AGAIN) That’s so sweet.AGAIN HE IS GONE.ACTOR 3 (MALE OR FEMALE) EMERGES FROM THE DARKNESSACTOR 3: There are just a couple of blank spots –EDWARD:We had a stroll.ACTOR 3: It would be great –

5DIANA:ACTOR 3:EDWARD:A lovely stroll.To fill those in.We reached Breezy Point.THE ACTORS EMERGE FROM THE DARKNESS AND PLACE ABENCH IN THE LIGHT. THEY MELT BACK INTO THE BLACK.DIANA:EDWARD:DIANA:ACTOR 1:Let’s sit on the bench.It’s too cold.That’s good. No-one else around. Who knows what we can getup to ?(EMERGING FROM DARKNESS) Cosy.ACTOR 3: So no one else was around ?DIANA:Someone’s watching us.ACTOR 2 (FEMALE) EMERGES FROM THE DARKNESS.ACTOR 2: Who was watching you ?ACTORS 1, 2 AND 3 (SING) Then the traveler in the dark,Thanks you for your tiny spark,ACTOR 3:ACTOR 1:DIANA:You weren’t alone.(EMERGING, SPOKEN) He could not see which way to go,If you did not twinkle so.It’s nice to be here. Just us.ACTOR 2: Were you alone or not ?EDWARD:ACTOR 1:He got on at Liberty Avenue.He was already there.ACTOR 3: He started following you on the A train ?EDWARD:ACTOR 2:EDWARD:He was on the bench.We need to be clear.He’s the Traveler.The Traveler in the dark.

6THE ACTORS FREEZE.EDWARD:DIANA:EDWARD:(STARTING AGAIN) We were on a train.The A train – out to Rockaway.She’s sitting beside me.We have a conversation.(UNFREEZING) There are no cafes in Rockaway.He is sitting behind us.THE OTHER ACTORS UNFREEZE.ACTOR 1:Full of Drunk Donnellys.ACTOR 2: So he sat behind you –ACTOR 3:DIANA:EDWARD:DIANA:ACTOR 1:on the A train.No thank you.We got off at Rockaway Park Beach.Shall we take a jaunt.A jaunt down to Breezy Point.ACTOR 1 AND DIANA STROLL.EDWARD:We took a stroll.ACTOR 2: He followed you ?DIANA:ACTOR 3:DIANA:EDWARD:ACTOR 1:DIANA:It’s a long way.- from the train.I don’t remember it being this long.You don’t remember much.(TO DIANA) It’s a long way.Not too long.EDWARD: You don’t mind the rain ?DIANA:Not if you hold me close.SHE HUDDLES IN CLOSER TO ACTOR 1.

7EDWARD:ACTOR 2:That’s so sweet.You sat on a bench.EDWARD SITS ON THE BENCH WITH DIANA. ACTOR 1 SITSALONGSIDE THEM.EDWARD:He sat on the bench with us.ACTOR 2: He sat next to you ?ACTOR 3: What did he look like ?ACTOR 2: Who is he ?EDWARD:ACTOR 1:DIANA:He got on at Liberty Avenue.He followed us from the A Train.(SPEAKS) In the dark blue sky you keep,And often through my curtains peep,There are no cafes in Rockaway.ACTOR 2: Do you know him ?ACTOR 3: Have you seen him before ?EDWARD:He got off at Rockaway Park. He’s sitting alongside us on thebench.DIANA: Not if you -ACTOR 1 RAISES HIS HAND.EDWARD: Suddenly he has a –He pulls out a –ACTOR 2: Who is he ?ACTOR 1: So it’s random. The whole thing is –ACTOR 1:DIANA:For you never shut your eye,Till the sun is in the sky.That’s good. No one else around.ACTOR 1 GRABS DIANA. HE PULLS HER BACK INTO THE DARKNESS.ACTOR 2 AND 3 GRAB EDWARD AND SIT HIM ON THE BENCH.THEY SIT EITHER SIDE OF HIM.

8ACTOR 2:ACTOR 3:We need to be clear.You’re at Rockaway.ACTOR 2: You got the A Train –ACTOR 3:to Rockaway.ACTOR 2: You took a jaunt -ACTOR 3:ACTOR 2:ACTOR 3:ACTOR 2:ACTOR 3:down to Breezy Point.It’s a long way.Not too long.You sat on a bench.He sat on the bench with you.ACTOR 2: Suddenly there was a –ACTOR 3: He had a –ACTORS 2 AND 3 RAISE THEIR HANDS AS IF THEY ARE HOLDINGA KNIFE.EDWARD:As your bright and tiny spark,Lights the traveler in the dark,—ACTORS 2 AND 3 BRING DOWN THEIR HANDS SUDDENLY.ACTOR 3:I’m going to show you some photos.ACTOR 3 BEGINS TO LAY PHOTOS OUT ON THE FLOOR INFRONT OF THE BENCH.ACTOR 2:You got the train out to Rockaway.The A Train.You were going to an Irish Bar.He got on at Liberty Avenue.He followed you to bench.Suddenly there was –He had a –THE ACTORS TAKE THE BENCH BACK INTO THE DARKNESS.EDWARD ALONE. HE LOOKS AT THE PHOTOS.

9ACTORS:EDWARD:(SINGING, IN DARKNESS) Twinkle, twinkle, little star,How I wonder what you are!Up above the world so high,Like a diamond in the sky!I got the train out to Liberty.The Breezy Train.We talk a jaunt to Rockaway.We sat in an Irish Bar.DIANA APPEARS. THERE IS BLOOD TRICKLING DOWN HERFOREHEAD.DIANA:EDWARD:Full of drunk Donnellys.He was there.ACTOR 1 APPEARS. HE PRODUCES A KNIFE AND HOLDS IT UPTO DIANA’S THROAT.DIANA: There are no Irish Bars in Rockaway.HE SLITS HER NECK. HE DRAGS HER BACK INTO THEDARKNESS.EDWARD:ACTOR 3:I got the train out to Breezy Beach.She sat on the Rockaway beside me.We took a jaunt to Liberty.We need to put the pieces together.ACTOR 2: Who is Diana ?EDWARD:She sat on the bench beside me.Beside him.Beside me.DIANA APPEARS FROM THE DARKNESS, NOW COVERED INBLOOD.DIANA:EDWARD:DIANA:ACTOR 1:EDWARD:DIANA:I don’t want to go to Rockaway.We had a conversation.You can’t make me go.We could take a jaunt.To Breezy Point.I don’t want to go anywhere with you.

10EDWARD:I am the traveler.DIANA: You can’t make me !EDWARD:ACTOR 1:ACTOR 3:ACTOR 1:ACTOR 2:ACTOR 1:The Traveler in the dark.He got on at Liberty.We’ve found one body.He followed us off the train at Rockaway.We need to know where you’ve hidden the other one.We sat on the bench.ACTOR 3: What have you done with Edward ?EDWARD SUDDENLY RAISES HIS HAND.EDWARD:(SPEAKS) Though I know not what you are,Twinkle, twinkle, little star.A DEEP BREATH.THE OTHER ACTORS SUDDENLY GRAB EDWARD.THEY DRAG HIM BACK INTO THE DARKNESS.THE REMAINING LIGHT IS CONSUMED BY DARKNESS.